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Methadone Drug Facts

What is Methadone and how is it used?

Methadone is a (synthetic opiate) narcotic that when administered once a day, orally, in adequate doses, can usually suppress a heroin addict's craving and withdrawal for 24 hours. Patients are as physically dependent on methadone as they were to heroin or other opiates, such as Oxycotin or Vicodin. Each time an addict uses heroin, there is a cycle of consisting of intoxication, initially, followed by a period of normal mental functioning which then yields to the discomfort of withdrawal and craving (flu-like symptoms with pain, anxiety and depression).

The cycle that repeats every 4 to 8 hours with heroin is eliminated by expert methadone maintenance treatment. This is possible because methadone is released more slowly into the system and lasts much longer than heroin and most other opiates. Short acting opiates, like heroin, hydrocodone and morphine perpetuate and/or create abnormal processes in the brain, which interfere with feeling normal and functioning normally. Taking methadone, instead, stops most aspects of this destructive process while normalizing important neurobiological functions. After stabilization on the proper dose, methadone does not produce the rush or "high" associated with heroin abuse.

What are the side effects of Methadone?

The most common side effects of Methadone are:

drowsiness
lightheadedness
weakness
euphoria
dry mouth
urinary retention
constipation, and
slow or troubled breathing

Some occasional side effects are:

allergic reactions
skin rash
hives
itching
headache
dizziness
impaired concentration
sensation of drunkenness
confusion
depression
blurred or double vision
facial flushing
sweating
heart palpitation
nausea
and vomiting

The least common side effects of Methadone are:

anaphylactic reactions
hypotension causing weakness and fainting
disorientation
hallucinations
unstable gait
tremor
muscle twitching
myasthenia gravis

The risks include kidney failure and seizures.

What are the signes of a Methadone overdose?

marked drowsiness
confusion
tremors
convulsions
stupor leading to coma
cold and clammy skin
hypotension
bradycardia

Detoxification from Methadone

For detoxification treatment, methadone is administered under close supervision. During detoxification a patient may receive methadone when there are symptoms of withdrawal. Such symptoms are sneezing, yawning, tearing of eyes, runny nose, excessive perspiration, fever, dilated pupils, abdominal cramps, nausea, body aches, tremors and irritability. After several days of stabilizing a patient with methadone, the amount is gradually decreased. The rate at which it is decreased is dependent on the reaction of the individual . . . keeping withdrawal symptoms at a tolerable level is the goal.

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